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WISCONSIN MANUFACTURERS MEET 



The general tone of the meeting of the Northern Hemlock and 

 Hardwood Manufacturers' Association, held at Hotel Pfister, Mil- 

 waukee, Wis., Oct. 26, was noticeably optimistic. A general 

 increase in prices over last year was noted, although in some cases 

 the \olume of business was reported decreased. Indications are 

 that the coming year's cut of hemlock will fall below that of 

 last year. 



Various important questions were discussed in detail. The 

 report of Secretary E. S. Kellogg was especially meaty. In it he 

 said that the record of the year's sawing shows that the input of 

 hemlock logs, 1910 to 1911, was slightly less than 1909 and 1910, 

 while hardwood operations increased. Hemlock stocks, according 

 -to the report, were so light during the first half of 1911 that few 

 firms could ship all items on the list. The first of July showed 

 ■eleven per cent less hemlock on hand than the preceding year. The 

 heavy hardwood output this year was partly responsible for the 

 curtailment of hemlock cut. 



The association records show that from April 1 to September 

 .30, 1910 and 1911, respectively, a total of 191,024,000 feet of hem- 

 lock was cut in the first year, and 207,595,000 feet in 1911. There 

 is also an increase in shipment of about 6,000,000 feet. 



Eeports from seventy firms show that they logged in 1910 and 

 1911, 349,200,000 feet of hemlock and 240,400,000 feet of hard- 

 woods. Sixty firms saj- they expect to log in 1911 and 1912, 300,- 

 869,000 feet of hemlock and 213,657,000 feet of hardwoods. The 

 aggregate of all kinds of wood logged in 1910 and 1911 was 

 705,290,800 feet, while the amount it is expected the same firms 

 will log in 1911 and 1912 is 614,346,400 feet. This indicates an 

 intention of curtailment until better prices prevail. 



After a short discussion of woods wages, the report took up 

 transportation matters, dealing particularly with the attempt of 

 the Railroad Committee to secure better hemlock rates to Missouri 

 river points. The report also discussed the proposed establishment 

 of a distance tariff on lumber within the state of Wisconsin and 

 in the northern peninsula of Michigan. The report contended that 

 a general application of this method would result in increased 

 rates from many of the largest plants in Wisconsin. 



The proposed rigid enforcement of the safety appliance law, 

 providing for sill steps and efficient hand brakes on all cars, would 

 be manifestlj' impracticable, according to the secretary, who con- 

 tended that it would be absolutely impossible to load with a min- 

 imum load on short cars, as a single tier of logs would be neces- 

 sary to enable brakemen to operate the hand brake. He proposed 

 that, as this is a matter of law, about the only course open is an 

 appeal to the National Lumber Manufacturers' Association's 

 Railroad Committee to attempt to secure a modification of this 

 legislation. 



The secretary said that all operations during 1910 had been con- 

 servative and sales of a "hurry-up" nature. The manufacturers 

 have been compelled to carry stock at their own risk and expense. 

 He pointed out that while this was all right under ordinary con- 

 ditions, any scarcity in rolling stock would prove disastrous. The 

 report pointed out that all other lines of business have been con- 

 ducted on the same scale, while the railroads have been doing 

 considerable purchasing and extension. The secretary contended 

 that overproduction is the fundamental trouble in the lumber 

 business today; that the capacity of the 50,000 sawmills in this 

 country is in excess of the normal consuming cajjacity. In closing. 

 Secretary Kellogg said: "The lumber manufacturer who spends 

 the least time talking about calamity, and the most time figuring 

 out how he can get more out of his timber, will come the nearest 

 to having the balance on the right side of the ledger at the end 

 ■of the year. It may not have been Solomon who advised a friend 

 in trouble to 'say nothing and saw wood,' but the wisdom of the 

 remark was never more apparent than now — only don 't saw too 

 imueh." 



The treasurer's report was read by Secretary Kellogg, and 

 showed total receipts of $4,875.55 and disbursements of $3,597.65, 

 leaving a balance on hand of $1,277.90. 



A general discussion of the exact meaning of the term "deliv- 

 ered," as applied to reports of cut for assessments and secretary's 

 records, resulted in the adoption of a motion to the effect that 

 it shall cover all sales. 



Chairman Collar of the Railroad Committee, outlined the work 

 of his committee relative to proposed reduction on hemlock rates 

 to northern Iowa, southern Minnesota and southeastern South 

 Dakota. It was brought out that while the railroad officials evince 

 a desire to help in this regard, their first proposal, to put Wausau 

 on a Chicago basis, would give lower rates only to such points as 

 are in the pine territory, and inaccessible on that account. The 

 Railroad Committee, however, expressed itself as confident that 

 favorable action will be secured. 



A motion, which carried, protesting against the proposal of rail- 

 roads to eliminate bunks and chains on logging cars, without f?reir 

 supplying the necessary stakes as substitutes, or paying for them, 

 was the result of a discussion of this question. 



A motion carried to issue an informal complaint to the Railroad 

 Commission of Wisconsin asking it to establish such minimum load 

 on interstate shipments from upper Michigan and Wisconsin and 

 shipments within those states as will make possible the operation 

 of hand brakes. 



The afternoon session opened with a discussion of the distance 

 tariff, as proposed by Wisconsin roads. It was determined in the 

 discussion that the bulk of reductions would be only on short hauls, 

 and that the railroads would in the aggregate realize increased 

 revenues. A motion carried to request the railroads not to put 

 the distance tariff into effect until the association was more 

 familiar with its terms and conditions, and that the Railroad 

 Committee be given full charge of the matter, with power to 

 accept or refuse the railroad's offer. 



A discussion of woods wages showed that there is every prospect 

 for an abundance of efficient help in the woods this winter, and 

 that the average wage will be lower than it has been, as there 

 will be more men than can be employed. It was the general 

 opinion that with the increased cost of supplies, the only possibility 

 of realizing a profit on manufacture is by wage reduction. The 

 General average on common labor was established at from $24 to 

 $30 a month. 



The report of the Grading Committee showed that while prices 

 have been somewhat off during the year, the quantity of lumber 

 shipped has been very satisfactory. There have been few com- 

 plaints on inspection and reinspections were principally on No. 3 

 hemlock. The committee reported very good prices on upper 

 grades of hardwoods and predicted their maintenance during the 

 year. It recommended a decided curtailment in output wherever 

 possible, as already there is too much lumber on hand. 



An optimistic talk by Secretary Rhodes of the Weyerhaeuser 

 Lumber Company, in which he outlined the industrial and financial 

 conditions of the country and of the lumber business, and pre- 

 dicted a very strong spring trade, was followed by a general 

 discussion of market conditions, of which the consensus was the 

 same as shown in former reports. 



MICHIGAN MANUFACTURERS 



The Michigan Hardwood Manufacturers' Association held its 

 fall meeting at the Pontehartrain hotel, Detroit, Midi., Thursday, 

 October 26, at which representatives of twenty-eight concerns were 

 present. President Bigelow presided. 



The routine work was gone through with expeditiously, the re- 

 ports of the secretary and treasurer taking the usual course, the 

 latter showing a comfortable balance on hand. 



Market conditions were reviewed by Bruce Odell, chairman of 



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